The usage of statistical methods in the production industry has resulted in quality improvements for several organisations during the last decade. However, advanced statistical methods are still underutilised and underappreciated in quality improvement programs and projects in many companies. Therefore it is of interest to investigate how these methods can be used for quality improvements in the production industry. A case study was conducted at Teufelberger’s wire rope production plant in Wels, Austria. Wire rope type BS 909 was studied by utilising the arsenal of tools and methods that Six Sigma provides, with an emphasis on statistical methods -- especially Design of Experiments. Teufelberger is currently (2016) experiencing diameter issues along the rope and it has been found through customer reclamations and quality controls in the production that the variation in a production lot can be substantial. Furthermore, there is no master setting of process parameters and each operator has their own way of setting and adjusting them, as there are different ways to achieve a product which is within given tolerances. The purpose of this study is to investigate how statistical tools can be applied to minimise variance in a Teufelberger rope manufacturing process, by conducting a case study utilising the quality improvement methodology DMAIC. Experiments were conducted in the following four sub processes which produce input components used during the manufacturing of BS909: KL-A, KL-B, IL and Al. In KL-A the following main effects were identified as significant: Postformers Spin and Postformers Diameter. In KL-B the main effect Postformers Spin was significant. In IL the following main effects were identified as significant: Compacting device, Postformers Spin and Postformers Diameter. In AL the main effect Compacting device was significant. Based on the conclusion derived from analysing these experiments theoretical master setups were created in order to address the variance issue and standardise process parameters. Further verification testing must be conducted in order to verify and tune the proposed master setups before they can be utilised. / Det senaste årtiondet har användningen av statistiska metoder inom tillverkningsindustrin resulterat i kvalitetsförbättringar för flera organisationer men dessa metoder är fortfarande undervärderade och utnyttjas ej till fullo inom program och projekt för kvalitetsförbättringar. Därför är det av intresse att undersöka hur dessa metoder kan användas för kvalitetsförbättringar inom tillverkningsindustrin. Vid en av Teufelbergers produktionsanläggningar av stålvajrar i Wels, Österrike, har en fallstudie med kvalitetsförbättringsmetodiken DMAIC genomförts. Stålvajer typ BS 909 har studerats genom att använda den arsenal av verktyg och metoder som Six Sigma innefattar, med betoning på statistiska metoder och särskilt försöksplanering. Teufelberger hade för tillfället problem med främst diametern av stålvajern. Det har visat sig genom kundreklamationer och kvalitetskontroller i produktionen att variationen i en produktionsserie kan vara betydande. Dessutom finns det ej några dokumenterade optimala inställningar av processparametrar så varje maskinoperatör har sitt eget sätt att ställa in och justera processparametrarna. Detta är möjligt då det finns olika kombinationer av  parameterinställningar som kan ge en produkt som är inom givna toleranser. Syftet med denna studie är att undersöka hur statistikverktyg kan användas för att minimera variansen i en tillverkningsprocess av stålvajer hos företaget Teufelberger, detta genom att utföra en fallstudie med kvalitetsförbättringsmetodiken DMAIC Experiment utfördes i följande fyra processer som producerar ingående komponenter som används vid tillverkningen av BS909: KL-A, KL-B, IL och Al. I processen för KL-A identifierades följande huvudeffekter som aktiva;  Postformers-Spin och Postformers-Diameter. Den enda huvudeffekt som identifierades vara aktiv för KL-B var Postformers-Spin. För IL var följande huvudeffekter aktiva: Compacting device, Postformers-Spin och Postformers-Diameter. I processen AL var endast huvudeffekten Compacting device aktiv. Baserat på det resultat som framkom vid analysen av dessa experiment har nya teoretiskt optimala inställningar beräknats, som förväntas minska variationen i responsvariabeln diameter. De nya rekommenderade inställningarna bör tills vidare kunna fungera som ny standard för produktionen, men verifieringsförsök bör ändå utföras för att bekräfta och finjustera  inställningarna.

Busca dar un rumbo a quienes quieran aplicar Six Sigma en sus organizaciones sobre todo a aquellos profesionales que se especializan en el sector automotriz. Optimiza la variación de las fuerzas que impactan a la uniformidad del producto final mediante el uso de la metodología Six Sigma, y las variables que afectan esta fuerza con el fin de optimizar la variación de la misma. / Trabajo de suficiencia profesional

The overall objective of this thesis is to describe and explain how different quality management philosophies can be combined in the supply/demand chain, in order to contribute to its resilience. The analysis is both quantitative and qualitative, based on theory and literature related to TQM, Lean, Agile and Six Sigma, one literature study and three case studies that were performed in companies. The studies are related to four research questions and are presented in four papers. The first research question focuses on similarities and differences between the quality management concepts TQM, Lean and Six Sigma. The findings were that TQM, Six Sigma and Lean have many similarities, but they differ in some areas. For examples Lean addresses process flow and waste, whereas Six Sigma addresses variation and design. The conclusion is that there is a lot to gain if organisations are able to combine these three concepts, as they are complementary. Two case studies and a literature survey supported the findings. The second research question focuses on outcomes in a logistics process if using quality management. The findings were that the quality management approach leads to risks being mitigated, managed and monitored and ensures a more effective, robust and flexible process, very much in line with the Agility philosophy. Solutions for quicker response to customers have also been introduced. The findings were supported by two case studies in seven companies. The third research question focuses on how prepared the transport- and logistics-oriented companies are for the application of quality concepts and quality management philosophy. The findings were that they can be described as being TQM-oriented. The companies do not consider Lean and Six Sigma to be future trends. Focus is on the customer, while they do not focus on variations or removing waste. The findings were supported by a case study in 24 companies. The fourth research question focuses on how quality concepts can contribute to risk control and resilience in an organisation. A combined Lean/Six Sigma approach by using Six Sigma framework and the last phase, Perfection, in the Lean concept, implies that the companies’ resilience, due to their strengthened ability to handle variability, risk management and agility, was improved. The findings were supported by two case studies in seven companies. / <p>I. Andersson Roy, Henrik Eriksson and Håkan Torstensson (2006), Similarities and differences</p><p>between TQM, Six Sigma and Lean, The TQM Magazine; Vol. 18, Issue 3, pp 282-296.</p><p>This paper was also presented at the 7th International QMOD Conference, Monterrey, Mexico</p><p>2004:</p><p>Andersson Roy, Henrik Eriksson and Håkan Torstensson (2004), Similarities and differences</p><p>between TQM, Six Sigma and Lean, Conference proceeding, 7th International QMOD Conference,</p><p>Monterrey, Mexico, pp 143-158.</p><p>II. Andersson, Roy, Peter Manfredsson and Anders Näslid (2005), Application of Six Sigma to</p><p>Control Variability in Production Logistics: A Case Study, PLAN Conference Quality and</p><p>efficiency in the entire supply chain, University College of Borås, pp 21-37.</p><p>III. Andersson, R., M. Fredriksson and H. Torstensson (2005), Reducing logistic variations by</p><p>quality techniques, Conference proceedings, Vol 1, 8th International QMOD Conference,</p><p>Palermo, pp 457-464.</p><p>IV. Andersson, R. and H. Torstensson (2006), A combined quality approach to controlling supply</p><p>chain risk. Conference proceedings, Vol 1, 9th International QMOD Conference, Liverpool.</p>

Thèse numérisée par la Division de la gestion de documents et des archives de l'Université de Montréal.

This study examines Haudenosaunee foodways in the Great Lakes Region between the early seventeenth century and the mid to late eighteenth century. The study is divided into two parts. First, the Creation Story is explored as it transmits the origin of the Three Sisters, a cropping system of inter-planted corn, beans and squash. The teachings of the Three Sisters highlights the importance of polyculture and sustainability. Conversely, a Westerners’ scientific account of how the Three Sisters came to be farmed together is studied. The independent pathways of the corn, beans and squash is examined as they arrived in New York State from the Mexico highlands. Recent findings show the Three Sisters were adopted independently in eastern North America beginning around A.D. 1300. They were grown together in some locations on a regular basis. The adoption of the polycultural complex of the Three Sisters was gradual and took place approximately 700 years ago as each of the crops adjusted to the climate and new surroundings. Secondly, the relationship between food, specifically the Three Sisters and acculturative change are examined pre-and-post contact. Acculturative change occurs when two independent cultures comes into contact with one another. The degree of influence is not equal as one culture can be absorbed, shaped or influenced more strongly by the other culture. The Haudenosaunee culture underwent acculturative change because the fur trade economy affected their foodways due to the influx of European goods such as the brass kettle and encroachment on their land and hunting grounds. The Haudenosaunee retained the core of their cultural beliefs and cultural practices because they made decisions, specifically their selection of goods and agricultural practices, as an extension of their cultural beliefs. Acculturative change resulted in a more monocropped and creolized agricultural system, usage of draft animals, fruit orchards and the plow. This study lies at the intersection of ethnohistory and food history. This study will serve as a tool to analyze and understand Haudenosaunee historical experiences from a First Nations cultural perspective. / Graduate / 2017-08-21

Validerat; 20101217 (root)

The thermal conductivity of various porous thermal barrier coating (TBC) systems used in elevated temperature for industrial applications has been evaluated using a proposed six-phase model. These porous TBC systems rely on microstructural properties and yield different types of porosity. These microstructural properties can influence the thermal conductivity of TBC systems. The purpose of this thesis is to assess the thermal conductivity of TBC systems based on microstructural attributes, particularly the effect of different types of porosity. Thus, the first component of this thesis investigates the microstructural characterization of various TBC systems using image analysis (IA) technique. In this technique, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and light optical microscopy (LOM) micrographs were used to measure the porosity level of different TBC materials. The volumetric fraction of porosity along with orientation, shape, and morphology have a considerable impact on the total thermal conductivity of TBCs. The second component of this thesis evaluates the thermal conductivity of these porous TBC systems by taking into account the effect of the heat treatment process. The IA results reveal that as long as the porosity content increases, the thermal conductivity decreases for all of the TBC materials studied in this thesis. Further, while the content of microcracks and non-flat porosity play a crucial role in reducing the thermal conductivity of TBC materials, the other types of porosity (open randomly oriented, penny-shaped, and interlamellar) exert less impact on the thermal conductivity of TBCs. Comparing the results of the proposed six-phase model to experimental values and finite element analysis (FEA) values showed a relatively good agreement. The proposed six-phase model can predict the thermal conductivity of porous microstructure of TBC systems close to real measured values; therefore, the proposed six-phase model may be utilized to fabricate the porous microstructure of TBCs.

Writing assessments have taken two primary forms in the past two decades: direct and indirect. Irrespective of type, either form needs to be anchored to making decisions in the classroom and predicting performance on high-stakes tests, particularly in a high-stakes environment with serious consequences. In this study, 11th-grade students were given a classroom assessment in which they had 1 minute to think and 3 minutes to write. Student work was scored for correct word sequence (CWS), total words written (TWW), and correct minus incorrect word sequence (CIWS). Students were also given a high-stakes state test to determine eligibility for graduation. This study focuses on the relation between performance on the classroom assessment and the state tests, with comparisons made between the performance of students receiving special education services (SPED) and students in general education. In an age of accountability, test validity has become an increasingly complicated topic. The social consequences of assessments impact students and their educational experience.

The Stroop Color coding and word test (Stroop, 1935) is a well-known phenomenon investigating cognitive inhibition, cognitive speed, attention and cognitive flexibility. The Stroop effect refers when processing a stimulus while being exposed to another stimuli simultaneous interfering with the first (Scarpina &amp; Tagini, 2017). This study focuses on a performance part of the Stroop color coding and word test and its relation to personality traits in the HEAXCO-PR using the Mini-IPIP6 (Ashton &amp; Lee, 2007; Sibely, 2012). An experiment was conducted with the control group ( N = 30 ) solving a Stroop color coding and word test and the experiment group ( N = 30) being exposed to two stimuli (audio and visual) with purpose to induce stress. The result of an independent t-test indicated that you can manipulate the result of a Stroop test measuring two outcome variables (Time and Error). One-way MANCOVA was performed with the personality traits used as covariates. The analysis indicated that Extraversion had a significant small impact on Time (F (1,52) = 6.872, p = .011 η2 = .117) ) and Openness had an effect on Error (F (1,52) = 3.167, p = .008 η2 = .057). Openness showed a significant effect on error rate in the performance. Extraversion showed significant effect as a covariate on the completion time of the test. Time and Error showed a significant correlation. To establish the relationship between cognitive inhibition and personality more research is required. More research is also required for the result of this theoretical study to potentially become applicable.

Introdução: O derrame pleural, reduzindo a capacidade funcional pulmonar, torna os pacientes incapacitados para o desenvolvimento de suas atividades habituais. A retirada do líquido pleural através da toracocentese pode reverter este quadro, porém seu impacto especialmente na capacidade ao exercício não foi totalmente estabelecido. Objetivos: Avaliar o impacto da toracocentese de alívio na capacidade funcional ao exercício, no comportamento da função pulmonar e na força dos músculos respiratórios 48 horas pós toracocentese. Casuística e Método: Foram incluídos no estudo 25 pacientes com derrame pleural unilateral, documentado por radiografia de tórax. O teste de caminhada de seis minutos (TC6M), a escala modificada de dispnéia de Borg, as variáveis espirométricas: Capacidade Vital Forçada (CVF), Volume Expiratório Forçado no Primeiro Segundo (VEF1) e as medidas de Pressão Inspiratória Máxima (Pimax) e Pressão Expiratória Máxima (Pemax) foram analisados antes e 48 horas após a retirada de volumes superiores a 600 mL. Resultados: Foram removidos 1564 + 695 mL de líquido pleural. Os valores da distância percorrida, da CVF, do VEF1, da Pimax e da Pemax aumentaram (p < 0,001) enquanto o escore de dispnéia diminuiu (p < 0,001) após o procedimento. Observaram-se correlações estatísticas (p < 0.001) entre a distância percorrida e a CVF (r = 0.725) e VEF1 (r = 0.661) avaliadas 48 horas pós toracocentese e entre a variação da distância percorrida e a variação porcentual da CVF (r = 0,450) e do VEF1 (r = 0,472), corrigidos pelo volume de líquido retirado (p < 0,05). Conclusão: Embora ocorra melhora da função pulmonar após a toracocentese, os benefícios observados são mais evidentes em situações de esforço, o que possibilita melhor readaptação dos pacientes às suas atividades rotineiras. / Introduction: Pleural effusion reducing pulmonary functional capacity hinders patients in carrying out their habitual activities. Pleural fluid removal by thoracentesis reverts the clinical situation but its impact especially on exercise capacity has not yet been determined. Objectives: To evaluate the impact of thoracentesis in functional exercise capacity on pulmonary function and on muscle strength 48 hours after thoracentesis. Methods: Twenty five patients with unilateral pleural effusion documented by chest X-ray were included. The 6 minute walk test (TC6M), Borg\'s modified dyspnea scale, spirometric variables: CVF (forced vital capacity), VEF1 (forced expiratory volume in the first second), Maximum Inspiratory Pressure (Pimax) and Maximum Expiratory Pressure (Pemax) were analyzed before and 48 hours after the removal of volumes greater than 600 mL. Results: The mean of pleural effusion removed was 1564 + 695 mL. After the procedure values of walked distance, CVF, VEF1, Pimax and Pemax covered increased (p < 0.001) while dyspnea decreased (p < 0.001). Statistical correlations (p < 0.001) between the walked distance and FVC (r = 0.725) and VEF1 (r = 0.661) were established noted measured 48 hours post thoracentesis and between the variation of the distance walked and the percentage of variation of CVF (r = 0.450) and VEF1 (r = 0.472), corrected by the volume of fluid removed (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Despite an improvement in lung function after thoracentesis, the benefits noted are more evident in effort situations of exertion, allowing a better readaptation of patients to their routine activities.